In Constanta County, on the district road running in parallel with E87, along the coast, the Histria fortress is found, the first Greek colony on the Western shore of the Black Sea and the oldest town in Romania.
     Coming from Bucharest one can easily avoid the crowded traffic in Constanta and the neighboring villages, if after Medgidia, at Poarta Alba a side road (district road) is taken to the European road E60. Then return to south (aprox. 1-2 km) to reach the E87, only two steps away from Navodari. Passed the town, there is a crossroads before a bridge where a road to the left takes you to Corbu village. A bit of patience is then needed to make the rest of about 26-30 km of road to Istria.

     Paying attention not to miss the entry you turn right on a side road, which takes you, after 8 km of reed and sun flowers crops, straight to the Istria Fortress and Museum. The roads and the traffic are all right, it is really worth going. The view through the ruins on the border of the lake is wonderful.

     The fortress located on the border of Sinoe Lake (a open bay in the old times) was founded in the middle of the VII-th century B.C., then it was deserted for good during the VII-th century A.C. The Histria fortress was founded by Greek merchants and sailors and developed continuously during the Greek as well as the Roman times, being the most important economic center at the Danube outfalls. The site was surrounded by defensive walls, the running water was provided by pipes and the streets were paved with stone. The fortress was also thriving under the Roman ruling, when temples dedicated to Roman Gods were built in town, as well as thermal baths and residential areas for the wealthy people.
     Unfortunately, the Halmyris bay, on which shore the town was situated, began to be clogged with mud, closing the direct opening to the Black Sea. The Histria fortress will be forever abandoned following the barbarian invasion which destroyed most of the place.